Bishops' rift mirrors political gap over Spain's Basque region

Published: 2005-01-17

BARCELONA, Spain (CNS) -- For Bishop Juan Uriarte Goiricelaya of San Sebastian, a political plan to increase autonomy in Spain's Basque region should be put to the approval of local people "without any church intervention." For the majority of Bishop Uriarte's fellow bishops, however, more autonomy for Basques is "incompatible with Spanish doctrine." The rift between the bishop of San Sebastian and the Spanish bishops' conference mirrors the wider political crisis that has erupted in Spain over the status of the separatist Basque region. On Dec. 30, the Basque Parliament approved a plan for greater regional autonomy from Spain. The plan was introduced by the Basque National Party, which dominates the ruling coalition. It managed to secure enough votes in favor of the plan because of the support of ultranationalists whom the Spanish government believes are linked to the political wing of the Basque separatist group, ETA. Spain's government and opposition oppose the proposal and accused the Basque National Party of "receiving the support of the violent." The industrial Basque region on Spain's Atlantic coast was granted devolution in 1978. Under the proposed new plan, ties with Madrid would loosen further so that the Basque region would become "a free state associated with Spain." The plan envisions an independent judiciary for the region, which has its own language and distinct ethnicity.

Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .